What is the relationship between Church and State – or more precisely between the individual Christian and the state? The Old Testament has an ambivalent view. David is the Lord’s anointed king despite his human failings. Respect is shown for the King even when the Bible categorises him as evil and unfaithful to his calling, especially in the area of faith, but that does not mean such failings are ignored or blind obedience owed. In our first reading Isaiah recognises that even the pagan King of Persia can be God’s instrument. Cyrus promises to restore Jerusalem and Isaiah goes so far as to declare him the Lord’s anointed. In the Gospel Jesus tells the Pharisees, indirectly, that they should pay the tribute demanded by Caesar. Civil society has legitimate claims on us but must not overstep the mark into territory that belongs to God. Challenged by Henry VIII, St Thomas More replied. “I am the King’s good servant, but God’s first”.